Chemical Name: Chlorotrifluoroethylene
Synonyms: CTFE
CAS Number: 79-38-9
Formula: C2ClF3
Molecular Weight: 100.47 g/mol
Product Use: Production of fluoropolymers including films, coatings, and sealants; chemical intermediate in industry; not intended for direct consumer use
Manufacturer Information: Provided by supplier or manufacturer, detailed contact information should accompany all product shipments, including address, emergency phone numbers, and technical contact details for immediate reference during incidents
Classification: Flammable gas (Category 1); Acute toxicity (Inhalation, Category 3); Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure, Category 3)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Extremely flammable; Toxic if inhaled; May cause drowsiness or dizziness; Contains gas under pressure; May explode if heated
Pictograms: Flame, Skull and Crossbones, Gas Cylinder, Exclamation Mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing gas; Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; Use explosion-proof equipment; Wear self-contained breathing apparatus during emergencies; Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area; Store locked up
Other Hazards: Rapid release of gas may cause frostbite or cold burns; heavier than air, can accumulate in low-lying areas
Chemical Identity: Chlorotrifluoroethylene
Concentration: 99-100%
Impurities: Trace fluorinated, chlorinated hydrocarbon residues (<1%) possible depending on supplier
Other Hazardous Components: None intentionally present at hazardous levels according to manufacturer specifications, refer to Certificate of Analysis for specifics
Inhalation: Move victims to fresh air as quickly as possible; keep victim calm, warm; if breathing is difficult or irregular, give oxygen or perform artificial respiration; seek immediate medical attention for symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, coughing
Skin Contact: Flush skin with lukewarm, gently running water for at least 15 minutes; remove contaminated clothing and shoes; do not rub or apply direct heat; seek medical advice for signs of frostbite including numbness, whitened skin, blisters
Eye Contact: Immediately rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; consult an ophthalmologist
Ingestion: Not a typical route of exposure due to gaseous nature; if symptoms develop, seek immediate medical attention; never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person
Other Notes: Ensure medical personnel are aware of the material involved; bring a copy of this MSDS where available
Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical extinguishers, carbon dioxide (CO2), or foam are effective on fires involving this gas
Special Hazards: Combustion generates toxic fumes of hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, and phosgene in some conditions; gases can collect in confined spaces, leading to explosion risks
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear for all responders; approach from upwind and evacuate area
Firefighting Procedures: Stop gas flow if safe; cool exposed containers with water; avoid allowing run-off from firefighting to enter sewers or waterways
Personal Precautions: Evacuate personnel to safe areas; ventilate closed spaces; only trained responders wearing full respiratory protection should address spills
Control Methods: Shut off leaks without risk; use explosion-proof equipment; monitor for hazardous gas concentrations; remove ignition sources
Containment: Prevent spread of gas to confined areas where accumulation could cause risk; ventilate area thoroughly
Environmental Precautions: Prevent gas from entering sewers, surface waters, or confined spaces
Cleanup Methods: Allow gas to dissipate in the atmosphere if safe to do so; consult authorities for large releases
Safe Handling: Work only in well-ventilated areas or use fume hoods; ground and bond containers to reduce static build-up; do not smoke or use open flames nearby; user should avoid direct contact with liquid and vapor
Personal Hygiene: Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling; prohibit eating, drinking, and smoking where material is used or stored
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed, approved pressure cylinders; keep in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from direct sunlight, ignition sources, and incompatible materials such as alkali metals and strong oxidizers
Storage Temperature: Maintain below 50°C/122°F; protect from physical damage
Special Considerations: Use proper signage and keep unauthorized personnel away from storage areas
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 0.1 ppm (ceiling), NIOSH REL: 0.1 ppm (ceiling), ACGIH TLV: 0.1 ppm
Engineering Controls: Use explosion-proof local exhaust ventilation; monitor air concentrations frequently
Personal Protection: Self-contained breathing apparatus required in areas where gas concentrations exceed limits; chemical-resistant gloves and clothing; safety goggles and full face shield for potential splash risk
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing and wash thoroughly after use; maintain eyewash stations and emergency showers near worksite
Physical State: Gas at room temperature, colorless
Odor: Mildly sweet but detectability threshold exceeds safe occupational exposure; odor not a reliable warning property
Boiling Point: -28.5 °C (-19.3 °F)
Melting Point: -155 °C (-247 °F)
Vapor Density (air=1): 3.46
Vapor Pressure: 378 kPa at 20°C
Flash Point: -107°C (-161 °F)
Flammability: Extremely flammable gas, forms explosive mixtures with air
Explosion Limits: Lower: 6.7%, Upper: 20.3% (by volume in air)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, soluble in organic solvents
Other Properties: May polymerize under influence of heat, light, or catalysts
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; avoid heat, sparks, and open flame
Reactivity: Reacts violently with strong oxidizers, alkali metals, and certain catalysts
Hazardous Reactions: May undergo hazardous polymerization if contaminated or heated; release of toxic and irritating gases possible in decomposition
Incompatible Materials: Alkali metals, strong bases, strong oxidizing agents, powdered aluminum or magnesium
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, carbon oxides, and phosgene when burned
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LC50 (rat, 4h): ~1200 ppm; exposure above 0.1 ppm can cause central nervous system effects, headache, dizziness, confusion, respiratory irritation
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposures can result in liver and kidney effects, persistent respiratory symptoms
Skin and Eye Irritation: Contact causes frostbite and chemical burns; inhalation of vapors can irritate mucous membranes
Cancer/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC or NTP; limited evidence of mutagenicity in bacterial systems
Sensitization: No known human sensitization
Other Information: No specific antidote; treatment is symptomatic and supportive
Ecotoxicity: Low acute toxicity in aquatic organisms; long-term environmental impact is possible from persistent degradation products
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down slowly in atmosphere; forms toxic products, including trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which can accumulate in water bodies
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low potential for bioaccumulation reported, but environmental fate data remain limited
Mobility: Expected to volatilize rapidly from soil and water surfaces; does not strongly adsorb to soil
Other Adverse Effects: No known significant ozone depletion; breakdown products can persist and impact local water quality
Waste Disposal Methods: Handle waste in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations; incineration in controlled facilities equipped for acid gas scrubbing is typical
Container Management: Do not attempt to refill; empty cylinders should be returned to supplier for proper handling and recycling; never puncture or incinerate containers
Environmental Precautions: Avoid uncontrolled release to environment; notify authorities as regulations require
Special Instructions: Disposal must be managed by licensed chemical waste companies with experience in handling halogenated gas residues
UN Number: UN 1081
Proper Shipping Name: Chlorotrifluoroethylene, compressed
Transport Hazard Class: 2.1 (Flammable gas)
Packing Group: Not applicable for gases
Label: Flammable gas
Special Precautions: Transport only in approved pressurized cylinders; keep upright and secured during transit; ensure emergency contact numbers travel with shipment; avoid exposure to high temperatures, rough handling
Regulatory Challenges: Drivers and handlers should be trained per DOT, ADR/RID, IMDG, or IATA requirements
OSHA: Listed as hazardous; follow all safety and health standards
EPA: Not regulated under CERCLA, RCRA hazardous substances, or TSCA significant new use rules for this compound alone; check for any local updates
International Inventories: Registered under EINECS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), ENCS (Japan)
Other Regulations: Subject to hazard communication and labeling standards in most jurisdictions; consult local environmental agencies for community safety and reporting regulations
Workplace Requirements: Ensure copies of this sheet are accessible to all employees; use in accordance with chemical safety guidelines and employee right-to-know laws
